Bus Eireann cutbacks talks underway

Management and unions at Bus Eireann are today engaged in talks at the Labour Relations Commission in a bid to resolve a dispute over the company's cost-cutting plans.

A planned strike over the €30m cutbacks was deferred last week after the Commission invited both sides to discussions. Bus Eireann wants to shed up to 320 jobs and alter the working conditions of employees.

However, the company has agreed to suspend implementation of the cuts pending the outcome of the latest talks.

Killeen Calls On EC To Stimulate Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has pledged his support to measures being put forward by the Irish Government aimed at securing additional supports for the Dairy Industry.

The Clare Deputy said that the European Commission had been presented with a set of proposals including an extension of closing dates for private storage aid and the removal of the "free at frontier" price for cheese. “The European Commission must continue to support the milk market effectively, and that further support for the Dairy Industry is absolutely essential and urgently needed”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

He continued: “Along with my colleague Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith I urge the EC to consider removing the "free at frontier" price for cheese that is blocking the use of export refunds for certain cheeses. This is a self-imposed technical impediment not warranted in the current circumstances. Furthermore, the EC should consider extending intervention purchases of butter and skimmed milk powder beyond the end of August and extending closing dates for private storage aid.”

Minister of State Killeen stressed the need for the EC to continue to step up efforts to stabilise the situation and stimulate the market.

Man dies following Roscommon RTA

A 45-year-old man has died after being struck by a car in County Roscommon in the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened in the Ballyleague area at around 2.30am, according to breakingnews.ie. The scene has been technically examined and the road has since reopened.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

Roscommon enterprise centre put on hold

Plans for a major enterprise centre for Boyle in Roscommon are being put on hold.

The proposal, spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce will see the construction of a two storey development to include four light industrial units and eight incubator office units at Castlefinogue. Shannonside Radio reports that the main objective of the centre is to provide affordable work space for start up business ventures.

It’s understood Enterprise Ireland has provided funding of 350 thousand euro for the project.

Inquest held into Boyle man's death

An inquest into the death of a Boyle man in December last year has found he died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The coroner and jury of six also heard that there was no fire escape or proper ventilation at the apartment where Shane Conroy was living, reports Shannonside Radio. The 32 year old was found dead at Quarry Lane Apartments in Boyle on the 27th of December.

The inquest into his death, held before the County Coroner Des O'Connor in Ballaghaderren has found that he died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Irish Government Seeks Additional Support For Dairy Farmers

The continued weakening of the Irish dairy market has led to increased efforts by the Irish Government to exert pressure on the European Commission to provide every available support to farmers.

That’s according to Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who noted that without such support the current deep crisis in dairy markets would continue to badly affect dairy farmers’ incomes. Minister Killeen said, “Farmers across the EC, and farmers in Ireland in particular, are facing very severe difficulties in making ends meet. Prices are historically low and while the Commission has made every effort to stabilise the situation, there is no real sign that a recovery is in sight. I share my colleague and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith’s concern that the market continues to show resistance, and price returns to dairy farmers in Ireland are now at levels that threaten the very viability of many farm enterprises”.

Minister Killeen said that the Irish Government has been to the forefront in pressing the Commission since last November for the activation of market measures, with some considerable success. He continued, “The Government will continue to seek further steps that may assist in reversing the downturn and stimulating the market further. This includes prolonging the intervention purchases of butter and skimmed milk powder, and the private storage scheme for butter beyond their normal closing dates in August. I believe that the role that private storage plays in particular, but intervention too, are such that their continuation after the normal end dates will be crucial in evening out the supply/demand curves and preventing further market turbulence at a time when supplies would otherwise hit commercial markets”.

HSE laptops stolen from Roscommon care centre

Gardai and the HSE are investigating the theft of 15 laptops from a medical centre in Roscommon town over the weekend.

The HSE says the computers were stolen during a break-in at the Roscommon Primary Care Centre, reports the Irish Independent breaking news service. Thirteen of the laptops were encrypted to safeguard the information they contained, but the remaining two were not.

The HSE says it is working to establish what information was stored on those two machines. It also says the Gardai are following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the matter.

Connaught to face Madrid, Worcester Warriors and Montpellier in European Challenge Cup

Connacht will face Spanish invitation team Olympus Rugby XV Madrid, Worcester Warriors and Montpellier in Pool 2 of the 2009/10 European Challenge Cup.

London Wasps - former winners of both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup - will face Rugby Calvisano, Bayonne and tournament newcomers Racing-Metro 92 in the Pool stages.

The tournament starts on the weekend of October 8-11.

Roscommon beaten by London hurlers

Martin Finn bagged 14 points in total as London's hurlers claimed an 11-point win against Roscommon on home soil at Ruislip this afternoon.

It was wind-assisted Roscommon who held a 1-9 to 0-11 interval lead, with a Tomas Lennon free edging the visitors in front at the break, according to breakingnews.ie. Brendan Hanley claimed Roscommon's first half goal, but they could only add two further points on the restart as London ran riot and began to cut the visitors open.

Finn was in brilliant form, with Kieran McMullan hitting home London's goal to pave the way for a comfortable victory in the end.

Annual Review Highlights Importance Of Agri-Food Sector To Economy Says Killeen

The newly published Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2008/2009 highlights the importance of the agri-food sector to the Irish economy.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen T.D. who pointed out that the indigenous strengths of the sector were evident from the report, which states that the sector accounts for 6.6% of GDP, 8.5% of employment, and EUR8.1 billion in exports.

Minister Killeen said: “The report indicates that Irish raw materials and services account for a significantly higher proportion of expenditure within the food and drink sector (70%) than for the manufacturing sectors as a whole. Moreover, 44% of food and drinks companies are located in the BMW regions compared with 30% of other manufacturing industries. In addition, the report shows that the wider biosector contributes approximately one-third of the net flow of funds into the economy generated by manufacturing exports.”

O'Malley poised for Mayo recall

RTE reports today that Goalkeeper Kenneth O'Malley is poised for a recall to the Mayo team for the Connacht SFC semi-final clash with Roscommon on Saturday week.

The 21-year-old is set to take the place of Ballina's David Clarke, who tore a groin muscle during the first half of Mayo's defeat to Louth in a challenge match at Garrymore last Friday.

Clarke, who has kept clean sheets in his last six competitive outings, suffered the injury while taking a kick-out and was immediately replaced by O'Malley, who only returned to the fold this season after suffering an horrific kidney injury in 2007.

Suspected Swine Flu case in Roscommon

A US tourist who is suspected of having swine flu is being treated in isolation in Roscommon County Hospital, RTE reports.

He had been visiting the area and was admitted to hospital on Saturday.

He has been given the drug Tamiflu. No one he had been in contact with is ill so far.

North West European Election Seats Filled

The three seats in the North West European constituency were filled in the early hours this morning.

Independent Marian Harkin (left), Pat the Cope Gallagher of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's Jim Higgins were all elected on the sixth count without reaching the quota. After a lengthy count and a detailed recheck of over 500,000 ballot papers in the constituency, just 1,487 votes separated the three successful candidates at the end of the proceedings in Castlebar.

Libertas leader Declan Ganley resigned from politics following the election count.

Home Energy Savers Scheme Expected To Create Thousands Of Jobs

Conor Lenihan, TD, Minister for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources today officially launched a nationwide scheme expected to generate thousands of new jobs in the clean-tech sector over the next 6 to 12 months.

The main focus of the Greenloan Home Energy Savers Scheme is to create significant employment opportunities in local communities throughout Ireland by grouping homeowners to avail of large discounts in upgrading their properties.

Over 250 clusters comprising thousands of homeowners in all 26 counties have already been created under the scheme, which was originally piloted in 2008 as part of the pilot phase of the SEI Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES).

See Greenloan.ie

EUR1.8m For HSE West Under Special Housing Aid For The Elderly Scheme

Minister of State and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen confirmed today that the Government has allocated EUR1.8m to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Western Area to carry out essential repairs to homes occupied by elderly persons living on their own.

The grant aid, provided under the Special Housing Aid for the Elderly (SHAE) Scheme, will enable works to be carried out on the homes of thousands of applicants. The Minister said that the EUR1.8m allocated to HSE West this week was the largest under the Scheme’s allocation for 2009. Elsewhere, EUR700k was allocated to HSE Dublin/North East, and EUR500k was provided to HSE Dublin/Mid Leinster and HSE Southern.

“I was delighted to receive confirmation of the allocation from my Ministerial colleague Michael Finneran, T.D., Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas. The funding under the scheme allows for work to be carried out in homes at a minimal cost to the State, allowing older people to live in their own homes for longer, which is what this Government wants to encourage as much as possible”, explained Minister Killeen.

Young Player of the Year nomination for Carina Roseingrave

The nominees for this year's Camogie Young Player of the Year and for the Camogie Manager of the Year were announced today.

Those in contention for the Young Player of the Year are Catriona O'Regan (Roscommon), Carina Rosengrave (Clare), Edwina Keane (Kilkenny) and Karen Kielt (Derry).

2008 has been a fantastic year for Clare sharpshooter, Carina Rosengrave from Ballyline. She had a prolific year in front of the posts, most notably her three goals in the All Ireland Junior semi-final against Waterford as well as the 1-1 in the All-Ireland final win over Clare.

Derrybrien Native Appointed As Bishop

A South Galway native and former Parish Priest of Lisdoonvarna has become Bishop of the Diocese of Achonry, Clare FM reports today.

Derrybrien native Monsignor Brendan Kelly, who was born in Derrybrien in 1946, takes on the new role following his Episcopal Ordination in County Roscommon yesterday. Following his early education at Craughwell National School, he attended St Mary’s College, Galway and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Galway in 1971.

He served for a year as Curate in the Parish of Kinvara and taught from 1980 to 1986 in Our Lady’s College, Gort, of which he was subsequently President from 1986 to 1995.In 1996 he was appointed Parish Priest of Lisdoonvarna and in 2002 he was created a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter and became Vicar Forane for the deanery of Kilfenora. He's been parish priest of Spiddal since 2003, and today will take on the role of Bishop of Achonry, replacing the outgoing Bishop Thomas Flynn.